Area briefs for 12-30

There will be no regular mail delivery or retail service at post offices on Tuesday due to an executive order issued by President Bush, directing federal government agencies to close as a mark of respect for the late President Gerald Ford, who died Dec. 26. Express Mail deliveries will be made on Jan. 2. Regular retail and delivery service will resume Wednesday, Jan. 3.

Forest service offices closed Jan. 2

All Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland offices will be closed on Jan. 2 to observe a national day of mourning in honor of President Gerald Ford.

Forest service offices closed on Jan. 2 are in Walden, Yampa and Steamboat Springs, and in Laramie, Douglas and Saratoga, Wyo. All offices will reopen on Jan. 3.

Talent tryouts

The Craig Concert Assoc-iation invites all musicians, singers and dancers to a tryout on Jan. 27 for the Local Talent Concert. Tryouts are held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Moffat County High School auditorium on a first-come, first-serve basis. The tryout should be three to six minutes long. A tape or CD of a contestant's audition can be submitted if he or she is unable to attend. The Local Talent Concert will be held at 2 p.m. April 1 at the Moffat County High School auditorium. Call Jim Simpson at 824-4138.

Tips for storm

The Colorado State Patrol and Colorado Department of Transportation is providing the following advice in preparation for major snow storms.

If approved, motorists should try to leave work early to get to a safe place, off the roadway, before the storm peaks.

If road conditions deteriorate quickly, CDOT and CSP may put a chain law in effect for semi-trucks and/or all commercial vehicles including 16 or more passenger buses and vans. Operators of these vehicles should be prepared and carry chains with them in their vehicle in anticipation.

Motorists should look for parking lots or other areas off the roadway to store their vehicle should conditions be such that they can no longer travel. Vehicle owners should notify, and if possible seek permission from, appropriate businesses if their vehicle is abandoned in their parking lot. In the case that abandoned vehicles must be relocated, CDOT will try to move them to a safe spot nearby. However, should a vehicle require a tow to a more distant location, the appropriate law enforcement agency will coordinate this effort and vehicle owners will be required to pay private tow company rates.

If your vehicle is abandoned and given a Red Tag by the State Patrol, you will have up to 48 hours to remove your car before the CSP considers towing it.

Motorists should remember:

Slow down! Even roads that have been treated with liquid de-icers may be slippery.